The adverse impact of coronavirus around the globe has not only threatened the humans but also ruined the lives of stray animals but on the contrary wild animals are experiencing some freedom.
The whole world is under lockdown, and the stray animals are the acute sufferers. Some people have abandoned their pets in fear of animal contamination. These animals were dependent on the food leftovers from household, restaurants,offices etc. Some stray animals are starving to death. Some countries have taken cruel action like poisoning and killing them. Many cases across the world have been reported.
For instances, Hong Kong people claimed a dog being tested positive for corona virus then government said "Apart from maintaining good hygiene practices, pet owners need not be overly concerned and under no circumstances should they abandon their pets". Another news says Moscow authorities are rounding up stray animals and exterminating rats as a precaution against the new coronavirus, actions that animal rights campaigners decried as cruel and scientifically groundless.
People around India have also contributed their part in making rumours and made it difficult for the stray dogs ,cats and also the livestock roaming around the cities. Many who fed animals regularly stopped due to the coronavirus scare until BJP leader and animal rights activist Maneka Gandhi announced in a letter, “Street dogs, cows and birds can neither get nor give coronavirus to humans. However, in the event of a lockdown, if they are not fed, many will die, creating another kind of a problem. Government and health officials all around the world have been fielding the queries and rumours about coronavirus, vaccination and animals.
“In this regard, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has clarified that dogs and cats are not involved in spreading infection in the current episode of coronavirus infection,” the circular said.
It has now become vital for us to understand the whole situation with all validations because lack of awareness among people can lead to hatred towards animals. Many social activists and animal lovers, NGO,and also individual citizens have made efforts to supply food and shelter to these animals. Some organisations also have facilities like doctors, vaccination, pet animal rescuing vehicles and helpline numbers, creating social media groups for sharing and updating.
Another report by researchers at IISER-Kolkata has launched a citizen science project to study whether stray animals behave differently?Will dogs become more aggressive and start hunting? Will they survive or die? How will they react to humans when everything will be normal?. Probably all questions will have answers when the pandemic ends.
In contrary to this whole scenario is the invasion of wild life into urban lockdowned space wandering through the streets, lakes and parks. Since centuries we have been exploiting the nature and its resources. Humans converted natural forest into manmade forest and wildlife was deprived of their habitats. So the nature had to react and recreate itself.
In this pandemic people have self- quarantined themselves allowing the nature to heal and nurture itself. The clean and clear pollution free skies are now seen with various birds flying to the zenith.Pollution in water bodies near urban areas has considerably reduced making it healthier for aquatic animals. Also many terrestrial wild species of animals are seen in several cities around the world. Social media is flooding with videos and photos of many wild animals roaming around.
Some instances include dolphins seen in Italy waterways, in Mumbai marine drive stretch; Puma spotted in Santiago; Coyote in San Francisco; Wild boar in Barcelona; wild pigs in French capital, ducks and geese were seen in Israel streets; family of otters in Singapore.
In India, dolphins were also seen in Mumbai marine drive; Civet cat spotted in Khozikode, Kerela; Nilgai in Noida; Leopard seen in Chandigarh; Deers in Dehradun; black fox in Assam; Olive Ridley turtle in Odisha seashore and many more.
Being an NGO, we are also trying to put our step forward for this cause. Our vision is to becoming a connector between animals and animal lovers. We would reach to people who are willing to contribute for stray animals that may be food, money or any shelter provision. We are also trying to create awareness through social platforms like our website and also through our Facebook page.
Amidst this lockdown we humans have the time to rethink and re-evaluate our activities that is destroying our nature and should set our minds to give our best to recreate our nature and protect it for our future. This time corana virus situation is just the trailor to the disastrous film that nature can showcase if neglected or exploited.
But we humans should now have faith in almighty and hold a lot of patience and strength as this time too shall pass.
Comments
Post a Comment